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A Functional Model of Cytochrome c Oxidase: Thermodynamic Implications
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1998
Year
The environment of the Cu<sup>I</sup> ion in the distal ligand group decides the fate of the reduction of O<sub>2</sub> by the two analogues 1 and 2 of the heme a<sub>3</sub> Cu<sub>B</sub> center in cytochrome c oxidase. The fourfold coordination by N in 1 favors the Cu<sup>II</sup> oxidation state and leads to a 4 e<sup>-</sup> -4 H<sup>+</sup> reduction and the formation of H<sub>2</sub> O under physiological conditions, while with 2 a 2 e<sup>-</sup> -2 H<sup>+</sup> reduction occurs to form the cytotoxic H<sub>2</sub> O<sub>2</sub> .